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Mirror, Mirror

Disney’s new version of Beauty and the Beast has made a huge mark in theaters worldwide, and here I am referencing a quote from Snow White! Inspiration comes in many forms, I suppose. Both of these family-friendly films feature mirrors in supporting roles.

Mirrors Lie

Have you ever noticed how the people you see every day don’t really seem to change much, while in contrast, you can easily spot small changes—like growth, weight loss (or gain!), and hairstyle changes—in friends and family members you see less frequently? While not exactly magic, this phenomenon does happen, and it also holds true for ourselves. I look at my face in the mirror several times every day as I brush my teeth, apply lotion or makeup, and experience those annoying moments of vanity. While I’m critical of my own appearance—like most people—I don’t usually see the subtle changes, the gentle aging process that’s going on all the time.

That is, until I see photos! Then I see everything. Every tiny incremental change that I had missed during all those glances into the mirror becomes plain as day. Why didn’t I see that before? That’s when I realize that mirrors lie—and not one ever told me I was the fairest of them all!

Skin Deep?

Of course, mirrors don’t really lie, but it’s hard to gauge those tiny little changes when we’re looking at the same face from basically the same angle every single day. We know all the clichés and adages like “You can’t judge a book by its cover,” and “Beauty is only skin deep.” Even though they’re true, all of us still want our skin—our covers—to look good, don’t we? Taking care of our skin, hair, nails, and body is all important, for sure, but let’s not forget that our smiles and how we carry ourselves can tell the world a lot more about who we really are.

The mirror effect can also work to our advantage. Say you’ve implemented a new skin care regime, diet, or exercise program. Try as you might, you probably won’t see changes in your mirror for a while. I think we’ve all experienced this, at least to some degree. At some point, though, others usually notice. Isn’t it wonderful when a friend or family member who doesn’t see you all the time says, “Hey, you look like you’ve lost weight,” or “Your skin looks amazing! What have you been doing?” We all love to hear that we’ve been doing something right.

The Moral of the Story

Sure, look in the mirror. But don’t be afraid to look beyond the mirror. Taking care of our health and inner happiness will reflect in our carriage and countenance––and others are bound to notice … even if the mirror doesn’t.